Larry “Bear” Johnson, left, is one of the several volunteers helping the McCormicks tear down their mobile home that was recently destroyed by fire. Jarred Day, right, helps remove the window.
Courtney Coble • TIMES
Lane Shaffer, right and Logan Coffee, volunteers with Journey Church in Sallisaw, remove a burned stove from the McCormick’s home.
Courtney Coble • TIMES
“Lets call this extreme demolition Journey edition,” Lane Shaffer, church volunteer, said.
The cold cloudy day couldn’t stop the compassion and excitement that more then 30 volunteers from Journey Church in Sallisaw expressed Saturday when they stood in front of the home of Harold and Debbie McCormick.
The McCormick’s home was destroyed by fire Nov. 20. McCormick was working with a few family members to tear down the remains of his mobile home that the fire left behind.
The McCormicks and their five-year-old grandson have been staying with Coleda Langley, mother of Harold, but time with her is limited due to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules and her disabilities. As Christmas approaches and the cold weather settled in the McCormicks were uncertain how their future looked.
Fortunately, a neighbor, Rhonda Parsons, was determined to do something to help them. Kenny Cox of Sallisaw advised Parsons to ask the Rev. Jeff Allred of the church he attends, Journey Church.
Allred was ardent to get volunteers from his church to lend a helping hand.
Tony Velasquez, children’s pastor and Jarred Day, youth pastor, announced to their classes on Wednesday night that they were looking for volunteers to help on a demolition of a mobile home that was destroyed by fire.
“We had 20 to 25 youth soon signed up,” Velaquez said.
Several members of the Journey Church Student Ministry and the church’s Master Commission Discipleship program were eager to go.
Kaila Worshek of Sallisaw is in the discipleship program and was ecstatic to help.
“I’ve never been able to demolish a house. It’s amazing to help someone in need, I feel so blessed being able to help this gentleman,” Worshek said.
Parsons and McCormick were very pleased with the help that was offered by the church.
“Journey Church is a miracle and I’m so thankful for them,” Parsons said.
McCormick watched the volunteers tear down within hours what would have taken him months to do.
“I’m used to doing things by myself and to see the turn out of volunteers is wonderful. Its hard to believe there are so many kind people still around, I’m very grateful for the church members,” McCormick said.
Sue’s Recycling & Sanitation of Vian donated a dumpster for the debris from the mobile home to be hauled off.
Parsons has also set up an account at Armstrong Bank in Muldrow for any cash donations people would like to offer. The Account number is 60269154 and checks may be made out to Armstrong Bank for the McCormicks.
